While Rovell did not offer an approximation for UFC 202, it very likely did somewhere between 1.2 and 1.5 million buys given the most reliable industry estimates for UFC 200, UFC 194, UFC 193 and UFC 116 (all around 1.1-1.2 million buys). UFC 196 and 100 are both believed to have done 1.5-1.6 million buys, though comments from McGregor and UFC President Dana White indicate that 196 may have sold even more.

Regardless of the exact totals, McGregor's last three headliners — UFC 194 (McGregor vs. Jose Aldo), UFC 196 (McGregor vs. Diaz) and UFC 202 (McGregor vs. Diaz II) — account for three of the UFC's six biggest shows, all of them coming over the past year.

Comparatively, Brock Lesnar's most recent showcase — a co-main event booking at UFC 200 in July — fell short of McGregor's last two buy rates. Both of his PPV record-setters were also boosted by the UFC's strongest main cards to date, including a Georges St-Pierre co-main event at UFC 100. Ronda Rousey, due in part to her past dominance of the women's bantamweight division, has only topped 1 million pay-per-views once, at UFC 193.

As impressive as McGregor's drawing power is for paid TV, his following on social media is what really separates him from the pack. On Tuesday, Global Social Media Analyst Colin Oliver published a study on the UFC featherweight champion's mentions across
Twitter, digital news and MMA blogs/forums over the past year. The Irishman totaled 6.4 million mentions, up 4.4 million from the year prior.

Brock Lesnar has significantly less social mentions than Conor McGregor over the past year. (Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

In the same period, Lesnar — who also has a massive WWE following — had a little more than half of McGregor's mentions at 3.4 million. Rousey has been largely inactive in that timeframe, but Oliver's year-long study during the peak of her stardom (August 2014-2015) counted 3.9 million mentions using the same measures. So, half a million more than Lesnar, but still well short of McGregor.

Taken together, iy is apparent that McGregor is the UFC's biggest draw and most talked-about fighter. With that said, don't be surprised if Rousey gives him a run for his money when she makes her much-anticipated return in late 2016-early 2017.

My journey began as an award-winning sports writer and editor for the student newspaper at UC Santa Barbara. Since graduating in 2010, I have published, reviewed and curated sports content for top digital platforms including Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (Web Producer/Programme...